U.S. patent application number 10/456474 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for recording medium having data structure for managing reproduction of video data recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses.
Invention is credited to Hyun, Eun Sil, Kim, Byung Jin, Park, Sung Wan, Seo, Kang Soo, Um, Soung Hyun, Yoo, Jea Yong.
Application Number | 20040213105 10/456474 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36821387 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040213105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seo, Kang Soo ; et
al. |
October 28, 2004 |
Recording medium having data structure for managing reproduction of
video data recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods
and apparatuses
Abstract
The data structure for managing reproduction of at least video
data recorded on the recording medium may include, for example,
path management information for managing reproduction of the
multiple reproduction path video data recorded on the recording
medium. The path management information indicates at least one
playlist belonging to each reproduction path. The data structure
further includes at least one playlist file identified by the path
management information recorded in a playlist area of the recording
medium. The playlist file identifies at least one playitem, and
each playitem identifies a clip of the multiple reproduction path
video data. The data structure may includes chapter management
information for managing reproduction of the video data by
chapters. In one example, the chapter management information is
recorded in the playlist files.
Inventors: |
Seo, Kang Soo; (Anyang,
KR) ; Hyun, Eun Sil; (Seoul, KR) ; Yoo, Jea
Yong; (Seoul, KR) ; Park, Sung Wan; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Kim, Byung Jin; (Sungnam, KR) ; Um,
Soung Hyun; (Anyang, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 8910
RESTON
VA
20195
US
|
Family ID: |
36821387 |
Appl. No.: |
10/456474 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
369/47.16 ;
369/30.08; 386/E9.036; G9B/27.012; G9B/27.019; G9B/27.033;
G9B/27.05; G9B/27.051 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 27/3027 20130101;
G11B 27/034 20130101; G11B 2220/2541 20130101; H04N 5/85 20130101;
G11B 27/34 20130101; G11B 2220/216 20130101; G11B 20/1217 20130101;
G11B 27/105 20130101; H04N 9/8205 20130101; H04N 9/8042 20130101;
G11B 27/329 20130101; G11B 2220/20 20130101; G11B 2220/213
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/047.16 ;
369/030.08 |
International
Class: |
G11B 007/005 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 21, 2002 |
KR |
2002-35010 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A recording medium having a data structure for managing
reproduction of at least multiple reproduction path video data
recorded on the recording medium, comprising: a path management
area storing path management information for managing reproduction
of the multiple reproduction path video data recorded on the
recording medium, the path management information indicating at
least one playlist belonging to each reproduction path; and a
playlist area storing at least one playlist file identified by the
path management information, the playlist file identifying at least
one playitem, each playitem identifying a clip of the multiple
reproduction path video data.
2. The recording medium of claim 1, wherein the playlist file
includes chapter management information, the chapter management
information for managing reproduction of the video data by
chapters.
3. The recording medium of claim 2, wherein the chapter management
information includes at least one playlist mark, the playlist mark
including an identifier identifying the playlist mark as a chapter
mark.
4. The recording medium of claim 3, wherein the playlist mark
includes a playitem indicator indicating the playitem on which the
playlist mark is placed.
5. The recording medium of claim 3, wherein the playlist mark
includes a time stamp indicating a point in time where the mark is
placed.
6. A recording medium having a data structure for managing
reproduction of at least multiple reproduction path video data
recorded on the recording medium, comprising: a playlist directory
area storing at least one playlist directory, the playlist
directory including at least one playlist file, the playlist file
identifying at least one playitem, each playitem identifying a clip
of the multiple reproduction path video data, and the playlist file
including path management information for managing reproduction of
the multiple reproduction path video data recorded on the recording
medium.
7. The recording medium of claim 6, wherein the path management
information indicates a reproduction path to which each playitem
identified by the playlist file belongs.
8. The recording medium of claim 6, wherein the playlist file
includes chapter management information, the chapter management
information for managing reproduction of the video data by
chapters.
9. The recording medium of claim 8, wherein the chapter management
information includes at least one playlist mark, the playlist mark
including an identifier identifying the playlist mark as a chapter
mark.
10. The recording medium of claim 9, wherein the playlist mark
includes a playitem indicator indicating the playitem on which the
playlist mark is placed.
11. The recording medium of claim 9, wherein the playlist mark
includes a time stamp indicating a point in time where the mark is
placed.
12. A recording medium having a data structure for managing
reproduction of at least video data recorded on the recording
medium, comprising: a playlist directory area storing at least one
playlist directory, the playlist directory including at least one
playlist file identified by a playlist identifier in the general
information file, the playlist file identifying at least one
playitem, each playitem identifying a clip of the video data
forming the title, and the playlist file including chapter
management information for managing reproduction of the video data
by chapters.
13. The recording medium of claim 12, wherein the chapter
management information includes at least one playlist mark, the
playlist mark including an identifier identifying the playlist mark
as a chapter mark.
14. The recording medium of claim 13, wherein the playlist mark
includes a playitem indicator indicating the playitem on which the
playlist mark is placed.
15. The recording medium of claim 13, wherein the playlist mark
includes a time stamp indicating a point in time where the mark is
placed.
16. A method of recording a data structure for managing
reproduction of at least multiple reproduction path video data,
comprising: recording path management information in a path
management information area of a recording medium, the path
management information for managing reproduction of the multiple
reproduction path video data recorded on the recording medium, the
path management information indicating at least one playlist
belonging to each reproduction path; and recording at least one
playlist file identified by the path management information in a
playlist area of the recording medium, the playlist file
identifying at least one playitem, each playitem identifying a clip
of the multiple reproduction path video data.
17. A method of reproducing a data structure for managing
reproduction of at least multiple reproduction path video data,
comprising: reproducing management information from a path
management information area of a recording medium, the path
management information for managing reproduction of the multiple
reproduction path video data recorded on the recording medium, the
path management information indicating at least one playlist
belonging to each reproduction path; and reproducing at least one
playlist file identified by the path management information from a
playlist area of the recording medium, the playlist file
identifying at least one playitem, each playitem identifying a clip
of the multiple reproduction path video data.
18. An apparatus for recording a data structure for managing
reproduction of at least multiple reproduction path video data,
comprising: a driver for driving an optical recording device to
record data on a recording medium; an encoder for encoding at least
multiple reproduction path video data; and a controller for
controlling the driver to record the encoded multiple reproduction
path video data on the recording medium, the controller for
controlling the driver to record path management information in a
path management information area of a recording medium, the path
management information for managing reproduction of the multiple
reproduction path video data recorded on the recording medium, the
path management information indicating at least one playlist
belonging to each reproduction path; and the controller for
controlling the driver to record at least one playlist file
identified by the path management information in a playlist area of
the recording medium, the playlist file identifying at least one
playitem, each playitem identifying a clip of the multiple
reproduction path video data.
19. An apparatus for reproducing a data structure for managing
reproduction of at least multiple reproduction path video data,
comprising: a driver for driving an optical reproducing device to
reproduce data recorded on a recording medium; a controller for
controlling the driver to reproduce management information from a
path management information area of a recording medium, the path
management information for managing reproduction of the multiple
reproduction path video data recorded on the recording medium, the
path management information indicating at least one playlist
belonging to each reproduction path; and the controller for
controlling the driver to reproduce at least one playlist file
identified by the path management information from a playlist area
of the recording medium, the playlist file identifying at least one
playitem, each playitem identifying a clip of the multiple
reproduction path video data.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a recording medium having a
data structure for managing reproduction of at least video data
recorded thereon as well as methods and apparatuses for
reproduction and recording.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The standardization of new high-density read only and
rewritable optical disks capable of recording large amounts of
high-quality video and audio data has been progressing rapidly and
new optical disk related products are expected to be commercially
available on the market in the near future. The Blu-ray Disc
Rewritable (BD-RW) is one example of these new optical disks.
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates the file structure of the BD-RW. The file
structure or data structure provides for managing the reproduction
of the video and audio data recorded on the BD-RW. As shown, the
data structure includes a root directory that contains at least one
BDAV directory. The BDAV directory includes files such as
`info.bdav`, `menu.tidx`, and `mark.tidx`, a PLAYLIST subdirectory
in which playlist files (*.rpls and *.vpls) are stored, a CLIPINF
subdirectory in which clip information files (*.clpi) are stored,
and a STREAM subdirectory in which MPEG2-formatted A/V stream clip
files (*.m2ts) corresponding to the clip information files are
stored. In addition to illustrating the data structure of the
optical disk, FIG. 1 represents the areas of the optical disk. For
example, the general information file info.bdav is stored in a
general information area or areas on the optical disk.
[0006] Because the BD-RW data structure and disk format as
illustrated in FIG. 1 is well-known and readily available, only a
brief overview of the file structure will be provided in this
disclosure.
[0007] As alluded to above, the STREAM directory includes
MPEG2-formatted A/V stream files called clips. The STREAM directory
may also include a special type of clip referred to as a
bridge-clip A/V stream file. A bridge-clip is used for making
seamless connection between two or more presentation intervals
selected in the clips, and generally have a small data size
compared to the clips.
[0008] The CLIPINF directory includes a clip information file
associated with each A/V stream file. The clip information file
indicates, among other things, the type of A/V stream associated
therewith, number of source packets in the A/V stream associated
therewith, and timing information of the source packets in the A/V
stream associated therewith (e.g., on an arrival time basis (ATC)
and/or a system time basis (STC)).
[0009] The PLAYLIST directory includes one or more playlist files.
The concept of a playlist has been introduced to promote ease of
editing/assembling clips for playback. A playlist file is a
collection of playing intervals in the clips. Each playing interval
is referred to as a playitem. The playlist file, among other
things, identifies each playitem forming the playlist, and each
playitem, among other things, is a pair of IN-point and OUT-point
that point to positions on a time axis of the clip (e.g., ATC or
STC basis). Expressed another way, the playlist file identifies
playitems, each playitem points to a clip or portion thereof and
identifies the clip file associated with the clip.
[0010] A playlist directory may include real playlists (*.rpls) and
virtual playlists (*.vpls). A real playlist can only use clips and
not bridge-clips. Namely, the real playlist is considered as
referring to parts of clips, and therefore, conceptually considered
equivalent in disk space to the referred to parts of the clips. A
virtual playlist can use both clips and bridge-clips, and
therefore, the conceptual considerations of a real playlist do not
exist with virtual playlists.
[0011] The info.bdav file is a general information file that
provides general information for managing the reproduction of the
A/V stream recorded on the optical disk. More specifically, the
info.bdav file includes, among other things, a table of playlists
that identifies the files names of the playlist in the PLAYLIST
directory of the same BDAV directory.
[0012] The menu.tidx, menu.tdtl and menu.tdt2 files store
information related to menu thumbnails. The mark.tidx, mark.tdt1
and mark.tdt2 files store information that relates to mark
thumbnails. Because these files are not particularly relevant to
the present invention, they will not be discussed further.
[0013] The standardization for high-density read-only optical disks
such as the Blu-ray ROM (BD-ROM) is still under way. An effective
data structure for managing reproduction of video and audio data
recorded on the high-density read-only optical disk such as a
BD-ROM is not yet available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The data structure of the present invention may have an
architecture that provides for managing the reproduction of at
least video data. For example, path management information for
managing reproduction of multiple reproduction path video data may
be provided on the recording medium. In one exemplary embodiment,
the path management information indicates at least one playlist
file belonging to each reproduction path. A playlist area of the
recording medium includes at least one playlist file identified by
the path management information. The playlist file identifies at
least one playitem, and each playitem identifies a clip of the
multiple reproduction path video data. In another exemplary
embodiment, the playlist file may include path management
information.
[0015] The data structure according to the present invention may
include chapter management information for managing reproduction of
the video data by chapter. In one exemplary embodiment, the chapter
management information includes playlist marks in the playlist file
or files. A playlist mark indicates whether the playlist mark
serves as a chapter mark and may also indicate the playitem in
which the playlist mark is placed. In another exemplary embodiment,
the chapter management information includes a chapter entry flag
associated with each playlist identified in the general information
file, where the chapter entry flag indicates whether the playlist
begins a chapter. In another exemplary embodiment, the chapter
management information includes a chapter entry flag associated
with each playitem in a playlist, where the chapter entry flag
indicates whether the playitem begins a chapter.
[0016] The present invention further provides apparatuses and
methods for recording and reproducing the data structure according
to the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above features and other advantages of the present
invention will be more clearly understood from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates the prior art file or data structure of a
rewritable optical disk according to the Blu-ray Disc Rewritable
(BD-RW) standard;
[0019] FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate two exemplary embodiments of a
recording medium file or data structure according to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a recording medium having
the data structure of FIG. 2 stored thereon.
[0021] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a first detailed embodiment of a file
or data structure according to FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of
an optical disk recording and reproduction apparatus of the present
invention; and
[0023] FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a second detailed embodiment of a file
or data structure according to FIG. 2;
[0024] FIGS. 13-14 illustrate a third detailed embodiment of a file
or data structure according to FIG. 2;
[0025] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a fourth detailed embodiment of a
file or data structure according to FIG. 2;
[0026] FIGS. 18-19 illustrate a fifth detailed embodiment of a file
or data structure according to FIG. 2; and
[0027] FIG. 20 illustrates a sixth detailed embodiment of a file or
data structure according to FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] In order that the invention may be fully understood,
preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
[0029] A high-density optical disk, for example, a Blu-Ray ROM
(BD-ROM) in accordance with the invention may have a file or data
structure for managing reproduction of video and audio data as
shown in FIG. 2. Many aspects of the data structure according to
the present invention shown in FIG. 2 are similar to that of the
BD-RW standard discussed with respect to FIG. 1. As such these
aspects will not be described in great detail.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the root directory contains at least one
DVP directory. The DVP directory includes title directories
TITLE001 TITLE002, TITLE003, etc. for each title of audio and video
(A/V) data recorded on the recording medium (e.g., BD-ROM). Each
TITLE directory includes a general information file `info.ttl`, a
PLAYLIST directory in which playlist files (e.g., real (*.rpls) and
virtual (*.vpls)) for the title are stored, a CLIPINF directory in
which clip information files (*.clpi) for the title are stored, and
a STREAM directory in which MPEG2-formatted A/V stream clip files
(*.m2ts), corresponding to the clip information files, for the
title are stored.
[0031] The STREAM directory includes MPEG2-formatted A/V stream
files called clips. The STREAM directory may also include a special
type of clip referred to as a bridge-clip A/V stream file. A
bridge-clip is used for making seamless connection between two or
more presentation intervals selected in the clips, and generally
have a small data size compared to the clips.
[0032] The CLIPINF directory includes a clip information file
associated with each A/V stream file. The clip information file
indicates, among other things, the type of A/V stream associated
therewith, number of source packets in the A/V stream associated
therewith, and timing information of the source packets in the A/V
stream associated therewith (e.g., on an arrival time basis (ATC)
and/or a system time basis (STC)).
[0033] The PLAYLIST directory includes one or more playlist files.
The concept of a playlist has been introduced to promote ease of
editing/assembling clips for playback. A playlist file is a
collection of playing intervals in the clips. Each playing interval
is referred to as a playitem. The playlist file, among other
things, identifies each playitem forming the playlist, and each
playitem, among other things, is a pair of IN-point and OUT-point
that point to positions on a time axis of the clip (e.g., ATC or
STC basis). Expressed another way, the playlist file identifies
playitems, each playitem points to a clip or portion thereof and
identifies the clip file associated with the clip.
[0034] A playlist directory may include real playlists (*.rpls) and
virtual playlists (*.vpls). A real playlist can only use clips and
not bridge-clips. Namely, the real playlist is considered as
referring to parts of clips, and therefore, conceptually considered
equivalent in disk space to the referred to parts of the clips. A
virtual playlist can use both clips and bridge-clips, and
therefore, the conceptual considerations of a real playlist do not
exist with virtual playlists.
[0035] The info.ttl file is a general information file that
provides general information for managing the reproduction of the
A/V streams for the associated title recorded on the optical disk.
More specifically, the info.ttl file includes, among other things,
a table of playlists that identifies the file names of the
playlists in the PLAYLIST directory of the same title directory.
The info.ttl file will be discussed in greater detail below with
respect to the embodiments of the present invention.
[0036] In addition to illustrating the data structure of the
recording medium according to an embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 2 represents the areas of the recording medium. For
example, the TITLE directories are recorded in one or more title
directory areas, the general information file is recorded in one or
more general information areas within the title directory area, the
playlist directory is recorded in one or more playlist directory
areas, each playlist in a playlist directory is recorded in one or
more playlist areas of the recording medium, etc. FIG. 3
illustrates an example of a recording medium having the data
structure of FIG. 2 stored thereon. As shown, the recording medium
includes a file system information area, a data base area and an
A/V stream area. The data base area includes a title directory and
playlist information area and a clip information area. The title
directory and playlist information area have the general
information file recorded in a general information file area
thereof, and the PLAYLIST directory and playlist files recorded in
a playlist information area thereof. The clip information area has
the CLIPINFO directory and associated clip information files
recorded therein. The A/V stream area has the A/V streams for the
various titles recorded therein.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates another data structure according to an
embodiment of the present invention. As shown, in this embodiment,
the DVP directory includes a single TITLE directory. The TITLE
directory includes a general information file *.ttl for each title
of video data recorded on the recording medium. The general
information files *.ttl are the same as the general information
file info.ttl discussed above with respect to FIG. 2. As further
shown in FIG. 4, the DVP directory includes a single PLAYLIST
directory, CLIPINFO directory and STREAM directory. Unlike the
embodiment of FIG. 2 where a PLAYLIST directory, CLIPINFO directory
and STREAM directory were provided as sub-directories for each
TITLE director, only a single PLAYLIST directory, CLIPINFO
directory and STREAM directory is provided for all of the titles in
FIG. 4. These directories contain the same information and files as
described above with respect to FIG. 2, but do so for all of the
titles, not just one title. As with FIG. 2, FIG. 4 represents areas
of the recording medium, and FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary
embodiment of the recording medium including these areas.
[0038] As alluded to above, video and audio data are typically
organized as individual titles; for example, different movies
represented by the video and audio data are organized as different
titles. Furthermore, a title may be organized into individual
chapters in much the same way a book is often organized into
chapters.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, and as will be described in greater
detail below with respect to FIGS. 5-7, in one embodiment of the
present invention, the general information file info.ttl for the
data structure of FIG. 2 includes chapter management information
for managing reproduction of a title by chapters.
[0040] Because of the large storage capacity of the newer,
high-density recording media such as BD-ROM optical disks, various
versions of a title or portions of a title may be recorded, and
therefore, reproduced from the recording media. For example, video
data representing different camera angles may be recorded on the
recording medium. Or, an adult version, young adult version and
young child version (i.e., different parental control versions) of
a title or portions of a title may be recorded on the recording
medium. Each version represents a different reproduction path, and
the video data in these instances is referred to as multiple
reproduction path video data. It will be appreciated that camera
angle and parental control versions are but two examples of
multiple reproduction path video data, and the present invention is
applicable to any type or combination of types of multiple
reproduction path video data. As will be described in detail below
with respect to FIGS. 5-7, in an embodiment of the present
invention, the general information file info.ttl includes path
management information for managing reproduction of multiple
reproduction path video data recorded on the recording medium.
[0041] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, as
illustrated in FIG. 5, each chapter in a title may be linked with
at least one playlist, and the playlists belong to one or more
reproduction paths. In the example of FIG. 5, the first playlist
`PlayList 1" refer to the first chapter, the second and third
playlists `PlayList 2` and `PlayList 3` refer to the second
chapter, and the fourth-sixth playlists `PlayList 4`, `PlayList 5`
and `PlayList 6` refer to the third chapter. Also, FIG. 5 shows a
first reproduction path is indicated by the first, second, fourth
and fifth playlists `PlayLists 1, 2, 4 and 5` and a second
reproduction path is indicated by the third and sixth playlists
`PlayLists 3 and 6`. This is merely an example, and is not limiting
on the path structure permitted by the present invention. For
example, a playlist may be associated with more than one
reproduction path.
[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of the general information file
info.ttl according to an embodiment of the present invention in
greater detail. As shown, the general information file info.ttl
includes an information field called `TableOfPlaylists`. The
playlist table `TableOfPlaylists` indicates the length of the
information field, and the number playlists in the PLAYLIST
directory of the same title. For each playlist, the playlist table
`TableOfPlaylists` indicates the file name `PlayList_file_name` of
the playlist (which identifies the playlist), a chapter entry flag
`Chapter_entry_flag` and a path number `Path_number`. The chapter
entry flag `Chapter_entry_flag` provides chapter management
information by indicating whether the associated playlist is the
start of a chapter. The path number `Path_number` provides the path
management information by indicating the path or paths to which the
associated playlist belongs.
[0043] The chapter management information also, optionally,
includes a chapter entry table `ChapterEntryTable` forming a
portion of the general information file `info.ttl` as shown in FIG.
7. As shown, the chapter entry table indicates the length of this
information field, indicates the number of chapters
`number_of_Chapters`, and for each chapter, indicates the filenames
of the first playlist `Entry_PlayList_file_name` associated with
the chapter. In an alternate embodiment, the chapter entry table is
written in a file separate from the general information file
`info.ttl`.
[0044] While the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7 has been described with
respect to the data structure of FIG. 2, it will be appreciated
that the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7 is equally applicable to the
embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of
an optical disk recording and reproducing apparatus according to
the present invention. As shown, an AV encoder 9 receives and
encodes audio and video data. The AV encoder 9 outputs the encoded
audio and video data along with coding information and stream
attribute information. A multiplexer 8 multiplexes the encoded
audio and video data based on the coding information and stream
attribute information to create, for example, an MPEG-2 transport
stream. A source packetizer 7 packetizes the transport packets from
the multiplexer 8 into source packets in accordance with the
audio/video format of the optical disk. As shown in FIG. 6, the
operations of the AV encoder 9, the multiplexer 8 and the source
packetizer 7 are controlled by a controller 10. The controller 10
receives user input on the recording operation, and provides
control information to AV encoder 9, multiplexer 8 and the source
packetizer 7. For example, the controller 10 instructs the AV
encoder 9 on the type of encoding to perform, instructs the
multiplexer 8 on the transport stream to create, and instructs the
source packetizer 7 on the source packet format. The controller 10
further controls a drive 3 to record the output from the source
packetizer 7 on the optical disk.
[0046] The controller 10 also creates the navigation and management
information for managing reproduction of the audio/video data being
recorded on the optical disk. For example, based on information
received via the user interface (e.g., instruction set saved on
disk, provided over an intranet or internet by a computer system,
etc.) the controller 10 controls the drive 3 to record the data
structure of FIGS. 2, 5-7 or FIGS. 4-7 on the optical disk.
[0047] During reproduction, the controller 10 controls the drive 3
to reproduce this data structure. Based on the information
contained therein, as well as user input received over the user
interface (e.g., control buttons on the recording and reproducing
apparatus or a remote associated with the apparatus), the
controller 10 controls the drive 3 to reproduce the audio/video
source packets from the optical disk. For example, the user input
may specify a title, chapter, and/or path to reproduce. This user
input may be specified, for example, via a menu based graphical
user interface preprogrammed into the controller 10. Using the user
input and the TITLE directories (FIG. 2) and/or general information
files (FIGS. 2 and 4), chapter management information and/or path
management information reproduced from the optical disk, the
controller 10 controls the reproduction of the specified title,
chapter and/or path.
[0048] For example, to select a particular title, the controller 10
determines from the number of TITLE directories in FIG. 2 or the
number of general information files in FIG. 4 the number of titles
and requests the user to select one based on the number. As will be
appreciated, the general information files may be augmented to
contain more meaningful information (such as a title name) for the
titles recorded on the recording medium, and this information could
be provided to the user in conjunction with the title selection
request. Once a title is selected, the playlist file names for the
selected title are obtained from the table of playlists in the
general information file for the selected title and reproduction
according to the identified playlists is performed.
[0049] To select a particular chapter, the chapter entry flag for
each playlist is examined by the controller 10 to determine the
number of chapters and the user is queried on which chapter to
reproduce. As with the title selection, the chapter management
information may be augmented to provide more meaningful information
regarding the chapters. Selection of a particular chapter is a
selection to begin reproduction at the associated playlist, and
reproduction begins with the associated playlist.
[0050] To select a particular path, the path numbers for each
playlists are examined by the controller 10 to determine the number
of reproduction paths, and the user is requested which path to
reproduce. As with the title and chapter selections, the path
management information may be augmented to provide more meaningful
information regarding the reproduction path to reproduce. During
reproduction, only those playlists having the selected path number
as one of their path numbers are reproduced.
[0051] The reproduced source packets are received by a source
depacketizer 4 and converted into a data stream (e.g., an MPEG-2
transport packet stream). A demultiplexer 5 demultiplexes the data
stream into encoded video and audio data. An AV decoder 6 decodes
the encoded video and audio data to produce the original audio and
video data that was feed to the AV encoder 9. During reproduction,
the controller 10 controls the operation of the source depacketizer
4, demultiplexer 5 and AV decoder 6. The controller 10 receives
user input on the reproducing operation, and provides control
information to AV decoder 6, demultiplexer 5 and the source
packetizer 4. For example, the controller 10 instructs the AV
decoder 9 on the type of decoding to perform, instructs the
demultiplexer 5 on the transport stream to demultiplex, and
instructs the source depacketizer 4 on the source packet
format.
[0052] While FIG. 8 has been described as a recording and
reproducing apparatus, it will be understood that only a recording
or only a reproducing apparatus may be provided using those
portions of FIG. 8 providing the recording or reproducing
function.
[0053] FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a second embodiment of the data
structure according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9,
the data structure of the second embodiment is the same as the data
structure of FIG. 5, except for the chapter management information.
As with FIG. 2, FIG. 7 also represents the areas of the recording
medium, and FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the
recording medium including these areas. FIG. 9 illustrates that the
chapter management information indicates chapters at the playitem
level. As shown, in the first playlist `PlayList 1`, the first
playitem `PlayItem 1` refers to chapter 1, the second playitem
`PlayItem 2` refers to the second chapter and the third and fourth
playitems `Playitem 3` and `PlayItem 4` refer to the third
chapter.
[0054] In this embodiment, the playlist files include the chapter
management information. FIG. 10 illustrates a portion of a playlist
file including the chapter management information according to this
embodiment. As shown, each playlist file indicates a length of the
file, and the number of playitems `number_of PlayItems` forming the
playlist. For each playitem, a playitem information field is
provided in the playlist file. Here each playitem is identified by
the number of the playitem. As shown in FIG. 10, the playitem
information field includes, in part, an indication of the field's
length and a chapter entry flag `Chapter_entry_flag. The chapter
entry flag `Chapter_entry_flag` provides chapter management
information by indicating whether the associated playitem is the
start of a chapter.
[0055] The chapter management information also, optionally,
includes a chapter entry table `ChapterEntryTable` forming a
portion of the playlist file as shown in FIG. 11. As shown, the
chapter entry table indicates the length of this information field,
indicates the number of chapters `number_of Chapters`, and for each
chapter, indicates the file names of the first playitem
`Entry_PlayItem_number` associated with the chapter. In an
alternate embodiment, the chapter entry table is written in a file
separate from the playlist file.
[0056] FIG. 12 illustrates a portion of the general information
file info.ttl for the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12. As shown, the
general information file info.ttl includes an information field
called `TableOfPlaylists`. The playlist table `TableOfPlaylists`
indicates the length of the information field, and the number
playlists in the PlayList directory of the same title. For each
playlist, the playlist table `TableOfPlaylists` indicates the file
name `PlayList_file_name` of the playlist (which identifies the
playlist), and a path number `Path_number`. The path number
`Path_number` provides the path management information by
indicating the path or paths to which the associated playlist
belongs.
[0057] The recording and reproducing apparatus of FIG. 8 operates
in the same manner with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12 as
was described above with respect to FIGS. 5-7. However, with
respect to the embodiment FIGS. 9-12, the chapter management
information of FIG. 10 is recorded and used during reproduction to
selectively begin reproduction at a particular chapter.
[0058] FIGS. 13-14 illustrate a third embodiment of the data
structure according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13,
the data structure of the third embodiment is the same as the data
structure of FIG. 5, except for the chapter management information.
As with FIG. 5, FIG. 13 also represents the areas of the recording
medium, and FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the
recording medium including these areas. FIG. 13 illustrates that
the chapter management information indicates chapters through the
use of chapter marks. In FIG. 13, the first, second, fourth and
fifth playlists `PlayList 1`, `PlayList 2`, `PlayList 4` and
`PlayList 5` are associated with a first reproduction path and the
third and sixth playlists `PlayList 3` and `PlayList 6` are
associated with a second reproduction path. A first chapter mark is
linked to the first playlist `PlayList 1`, second and third chapter
marks are linked to the second and third playlists `PlayList 2` and
`PlayList 3`, a fourth chapter mark is linked to the fourth
playlist `PlayList 4`, and fifth and sixth chapter marks are linked
to the fifth and sixth playlists `PlayList 5` and `PlayList 6`. In
this embodiment, each chapter is linked to one chapter mark, but
the present invention is not limited to this implementation.
[0059] In this embodiment, the playlist files include the chapter
management information. FIG. 14 illustrates a portion of a playlist
file including the chapter management information according to this
embodiment. As shown, each playlist file includes a playlist mark
`PlayListsMark` information field. The playlist mark
`PlayListsMark` information field indicates a length of the
information field and a number of the playlist marks `number_of
PlayList_marks` in the playlist. For each playlist mark, the
playlist mark `PlayListsMark` information field indicates the mark
type `mark_type`, the mark name length `mark_name_length`, the
maker `maker_ID`, an indicator of the playitem on which the mark is
placed `ref_to_PlayItem id`, a time stamp `mark_time_stamp`, and a
duration `duration` of the mark.
[0060] The mark type indicates the type of mark. For example, when
a mark indicates the beginning of a chapter, the mark type
`mark_type` identifies the associated mark as a chapter mark. The
mark name length `mark_name_length` indicates the length (in bytes)
of the mark name. The maker identifier `maker_ID` identifies the
manufacturer of the mark. The playitem indicator
`ref_to_PlayItem_id` indicates the Playitem_id value for a playitem
on which the mark is placed. The time stamp `mark_time_stamp` of
the mark indicates a point where the mark is placed; namely,
indicates a point on a time axis of the A/V stream of clips (e.g.,
ATC and/or STC basis) where the mark is placed. The duration
`duration` indicates a length of the mark that start from the time
stamp `mark_time_stamp`.
[0061] Because the playlist mark information field provides the
chapter management information, the chapter entry flag
`Chapter_entry_flag` of the first embodiment is not required.
[0062] Furthermore, in this third embodiment, the path management
information is provided as described above with respect to FIG. 12
and the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] The recording and reproducing apparatus of FIG. 8 operates
in the same manner with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 13-14 as
was described above with respect to FIGS. 5-7. However, with
respect to the embodiment FIGS. 13-14, the chapter management
information of FIG. 14 is recorded and used during reproduction to
selectively begin reproduction at a particular chapter. Here, the
controller 10 determines the number of chapters in a title based on
the number of playlist marks identified as chapter marks, queries
the user to select a chapter, and begins reproduction of the video
data at the point indicated by the time stamp associated with the
chapter mark of the selected chapter.
[0064] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the data
structure according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15,
the data structure of the fourth embodiment adopts the data
structure of FIG. 2. As with FIG. 2, FIG. 15 also represents the
areas of the recording medium, and FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary
embodiment of the recording medium including these areas.
[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 15, each chapter may be associated
with a single playlist in the PLAYLIST directory. Also, FIG. 15
shows a first production path includes the odd playitems `PlayItem
1, 3, 5, 7` from the first playlist `PlayList 12 and a second
reproduction path includes the even playitems `PlayItem 2, 4, 6, 8`
of the first playlist `PlayList 1`. This is merely an example, and
is not limiting on the path structure permitted by the present
invention.
[0066] FIG. 16 illustrates a portion of the general information
file info.ttl according to an embodiment of the present invention
in greater detail. As shown, the general information file info.ttl
includes an information field called `TableOfPlaylists`. The
playlist table `TableOfPlaylists` indicates the length of the
information field, and the number playlists in the PLAYLIST
directory associated with the same title. For each playlist, the
playlist table `TableOfPlaylists` indicates the file name
`PlayListfile_name` of the playlist (which identifies the playlist)
and chapter management information associated with the playlist.
Specifically, the chapter management information is a chapter entry
flag `Chapter_entry_flag`, which indicates whether the playlist is
the start of a chapter. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15
where each chapter is associated with a single playlist, the
chapter entry flag `Chapter_entry_flag` is set for each playlist.
However, it will be understood that the present invention is not
limited to this embodiment.
[0067] The chapter management information may also include a
chapter entry table `ChapterEntrTable` forming a portion of the
general information file `info.ttl` as described in detail above
with respect to FIG. 7.
[0068] FIG. 17 shows an exemplary embodiment where path management
information, which is used for managing the reproduction of
multiple reproduction path video data of a title, is written in the
playlist file.
[0069] As shown, each playlist file indicates a length of the file,
and the number of playitems `number_of_PlayItems` forming the
playlist. For each playitem, a playitem information field is
provided in the playlist file. Here each playitem is identified by
the number of the playitem. As shown in FIG. 17, the playitem
information field includes, in part, an indication of the field's
length and a path number `Path_number`. The path number
`Path_number` provides the path management information by
indicating the path or paths to which the associated playitem
belongs.
[0070] The recording and reproducing apparatus of FIG. 8 operates
in the same manner with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 15-17 as
was described above with respect to FIGS. 5-7. However, with
respect to the embodiment FIGS. 15-17, the chapter and path
management information of FIGS. 16 and 17 are recorded and used
during reproduction to selectively begin reproduction at a
particular chapter and/or along a particular reproduction path.
[0071] FIGS. 18-19 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the data
structure according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18,
the data structure of the fifth embodiment adopts the data
structure of FIG. 2. As with FIG. 2, FIG. 18 also represents the
areas of the recording medium, and FIG. 3 15 illustrates an
exemplary embodiment of the recording medium including these areas.
As will be described in detail below with respect to FIGS. 18-19,
in an embodiment of the present invention, each playlist file
includes chapter management information for managing reproduction
of the title of video data by chapter and path management
information for managing the reproduction of multiple reproduction
path video data recorded on the recording medium.
[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 18, each chapter in a title may be
linked with at least one playitem included in a playlist. In the
example of FIG. 18, the first and the second playitems `PlayItem 1`
and `PlayItem 2` among playitems included in the first playlist
`PlayList 1` refer to the first chapter, the third to the sixth
playitems `PlayItem 3`-`PlayItem 6` refer to the second chapter,
and the seventh and the eight playitems `PlayItem 7` and `PlayItem
8` refer to the third chapter. Also, FIG. 18 shows a first
production path is indicated by the odd playitems `PlayItem 1, 3,
5, 7` and a second reproduction path is indicated by the even
playitems `PlayItem 2, 4, 6, 8`. This is merely an example, and is
not limiting on the path structure permitted by the present
invention.
[0073] The chapter and path management information are written in a
corresponding playlist file structured as shown in FIG. 19. As
shown, each playlist file indicates a length of the file, and the
number of playitems `number_of_PlayItems` forming the playlist. For
each playitem, a playitem information field is provided in the
playlist file. Here each playitem is identified by the number of
the playitem. As shown in FIG. 19, the playitem information field
includes, in part, an indication of the field's length, a chapter
entry flag `Chapter_entry_flag` and a path number `Path_number`.
The chapter entry flag `Chapter_entry_flag` provides chapter
management information by indicating whether the associated
playitem is the start of a chapter. The path number `Path_number`
provides the path management information by indicating the path or
paths to which the associated playitem belongs.
[0074] The chapter management information may also include a
chapter entry table `ChapterEntryTable` forming a portion of the
playlist file as described in detail above with respect to FIG.
11.
[0075] The recording and reproducing apparatus of FIG. 8 operates
in the same manner with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 18-19 as
was described above with respect to FIGS. 5-7. However, with
respect to the embodiment FIGS. 18-19, the chapter and path
management information of FIG. 19 are recorded and used during
reproduction to selectively begin reproduction at a particular
chapter and/or along a particular reproduction path.
[0076] FIG. 20 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the data structure
according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 20, the data
structure of the sixth embodiment is the same as the data structure
of FIG. 18, except for the chapter management information. As with
FIG. 18, FIG. 20 also represents the areas of the recording medium,
and FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the recording
medium including these areas. FIG. 20 illustrates that the chapter
management information indicates chapters through the use of
chapter marks. More specifically, the playlist files include the
chapter management information in the same manner as described in
detail above with respect to FIG. 14. Additionally, the playlist
files include the path management information in the same manner as
described in detail above with respect to FIG. 17.
[0077] The recording and reproducing apparatus of FIG. 8 operates
in the same manner with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 20 as was
described above with respect to FIGS. 5-7. However, with respect to
the embodiment of FIG. 20, the chapter and path management
information of FIGS. 14 and 17, respectively are recorded and used
during reproduction to selectively begin reproduction at a
particular chapter and/or along a particular reproduction path.
[0078] As the sixth embodiment of FIG. 20 demonstrates, the
different data structures for chapter reproduction management and
path reproduction management in the above described embodiments may
be combined to form further embodiments of the present
invention.
[0079] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention have
been described as applied to the data structure of FIG. 2; however,
it will be appreciated that these embodiments are also applicable
to the data structure of FIG. 4.
[0080] As will be appreciated from the forgoing disclosure, the
present invention provides a recording medium having a file or data
structure that permits managing the reproduction of video data on a
title, chapter, and or multiple reproduction path basis.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a greater level of
flexibility in the reproduction of video data than previously
available.
[0081] While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications
and variations there from. For example, while described with
respect to a Blu-ray ROM optical disk, the present invention is not
limited to this standard of optical disk or to optical disks. It is
intended that all such modifications and variations fall within the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *